22-Year Term in Irvine Art-for-Cocaine Deal

A former Coachella city manager who swapped valuable paintings for two suitcases of cocaine in Irvine was sentenced Monday to nearly 22 years in prison.

Jose B. Uribe, 50, of San Diego rocked in his chair and at times glanced at his family while U.S. District Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler handed him a sentence of 21 years and 10 months, plus a five-year probation.

Though acknowledging Uribe’s “strong, productive background,” Stotler said the crime was a “colossal, go-for-it kind of a conspiracy” that warranted the heavy sentence. Uribe had faced a maximum of life in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine, attempted possession of cocaine and failure to appear in court, prosecutors said.

In a strange twist, Uribe asked the judge to renounce his U.S. citizenship so that he could be deported to his native Mexico.

“I wanted to renounce my citizenship before a federal judge because I do not feel that I want to remain loyal to this country any longer,” said Uribe, who sat in court handcuffed and in prison garb.

Stotler denied the request.

Uribe and Raymond Torres, also of San Diego, were arrested outside the Irvine Marriott hotel on May 24, 1995, when they offered undercover agents 17 paintings valued at about $2 million in exchange for 110 pounds of cocaine.

Uribe fled to Mexico before a scheduled court appearance but was recaptured and extradited to California to face charges.

During trial, the defense argued that Uribe did not know that a cocaine deal was in progress.

Edmundo Espinoza, Uribe’s attorney, said after Monday’s sentencing, “I think the judge was extremely harsh. She went out of her way to punish him.”

Torres pleaded guilty in March 1996 and agreed to cooperate with authorities, telling them that the artworks, mostly Impressionist pieces, were stolen from the Las Vegas estate of singer Wayne Newton.

Newton initially testified that he did not own the 10 Renoirs, two Dalis, a Matisse and others, but later the singer said the paintings were indeed his. Authorities have not determined who is the rightful owner.